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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Library Advisory Board - Meeting Date: 10/15/2009 GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING Minutes Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:00 P.M. Main Library 5959 W. Brown St. Glendale, AZ 85302 Members Present: Others Present: JoAnn Lee, Chairperson Ms. Komernicky, Library &Arts Director Katy Bickerstaff Ms. Lesa Holstine, Manager, Velma Teague Library Sandi Burr Cynthia Burmeister, Secretary/Glendale Public Library Camille Donley Char Sharp Kenneth Wixon Members Absent: Cherie Hudson, Vice Chair Allison Tedford CALL TO ORDER Ms. Lee, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Lee requested a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 17, 2009. A motion to approve was made by Mr. Wixon. The motion, seconded by Ms. Donley, passed unanimously. READER'S ADVISORY Ms. Komernicky introduced Lesa Holstine, Branch Manager at the Velma Teague Library. Ms. Holstine conducted a presentation on the reader's advisory tools and reader's advisory focus in the library. Ms. Holstine teaches classes on reader's advisory as well as interacting with patrons on book selections. Ms. Holstine talked about the many services and events available to citizens including Book Club, BookLetters, The Big Read and software used to allow patrons to submit their personal book reviews. The book reviews are moderated by library staff. Ms. Donley asked if there had been problems with inappropriate reviews being posted. Ms. Holstine stated that all submissions are reviewed by library staff. Ms. Holstine further stated that staff encourages patrons to participate in book reviews and also in the library Wish List. Ms. Donley asked how often the BookLetter lists are updated. Ms. Holstine stated the New York Times is updated weekly while staff picks are updated monthly. Ms. Holstine spoke of additional programs such as the Authors at the Teague including visits by Camille Kimball and Terry Pratchett. Ms. Holstine also talked about "The Big Read", and other library advisory tools such as the quarterly Brown Bag Lunch for all library staff, and a second Brown Bag Lunch for Library/Arts employees. Ms. Lee congratulated Lesa on the wonderful job done at the Velma Teague Library. Ms. Lee visited the library the previous Thursday and found many people frequenting the library and all staff engaged in activity with patrons. Ms. Holstine thanked Ms. Komernicky for the opportunity to participate in the Reader's Advisory. Ms. Komemicky thanked Ms. Holstine for the presentation. Ms. Komemicky stated that the Main Library is doing an Arizona Book Discussion Group which was formed by a staff member who was transferred from the Circulation department to Reference department. LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD GOALS Ms. Lee turned the meeting over to Ms. Komernicky for discussion of the Library Advisory Board Goals. Ms. Komemicky stated that the Library Advisory board goals originated in 2007. Discussion on revising and/or creating new goals ensued for the fiscal year. Ms. Bickerstaff asked if members were required to conduct a board meeting at another Glendale Library location. Ms. Komemicky said no. Upon occasion, however, meetings are held at our other libraries so that board members have an opportunity to become acquainted with our libraries. Ms. Lee commented that it would be good to create a list of items to look for when touring other libraries. Ms. Komernicky said that this was done previously and from that, a presentation was created entitled "What Makes a Great Library?" Ms. Lee asked if it would be good to bring back impressions. Ms. Komemicky said yes and stated that they can visit the libraries to observe and bring back their observations. Ms. Komernicky will resurrect the guidelines on what to look for. Ms. Donley enjoyed visiting the Scottsdale library. Ms. Komernicky stated that Scottsdale will be opening the new Appaloosa branch library on November 4, 2009. She added that the Agave branch at Pinnacle Peak and 35`h Avenue, located in Phoenix has also opened. Ms. Donley agreed and stated that she will visit some of the other libraries. In the past, this has been a positive learning experience. Mr. Wixon asked if participation in a meeting had to be completed at the Main library. Ms. Komernicky said any of the libraries would be acceptable. Ms. Sharpe agreed that visiting other libraries was a great idea. Ms. Lee suggested a bi-annual update of the current goals. Ms. Komernicky suggested having a timeline for updating, such as January and May. Ms. Lee agreed. Ms. Donley asked if an update had been done this past September. Ms. Bickerstaff said it was May. Ms. Komernicky verified this. Ms. Donley asked about participating in an established community event to promote libraries. Ms. Komernicky suggested the Board may want to consider revising the goal if they feel appropriate. Ms. Bickerstaff asked if school district events would qualify. Ms. Komernicky said yes. Mr. Wixon stated that Councilmember Lieberman has put on several events. Ms. Bickerstaff suggested participating in a minimum of two programs or events per year reporting the experiences to the Library Advisory Board. Ms. Lee suggested visiting all three of the Glendale libraries once per year as a new goal. Ms. Komernicky agreed. Ms. Sharpe complimented the Glendale Library events calendar/newsletter for having so much information on upcoming events. Ms. Donley stated the testing sites, such as the GED site, were very enjoyable. Ms. Lee stated that each member represents a council district. Each member should send an update to their respective councilmember on what has transpired with the Library Advisory Board. Ms. Bickerstaff asked when the new goals will go into effect. Ms. Komemicky said that it would be voted upon at the next meeting. She will write up a draft of what has been discussed, targeting an effective date of January 2010. Ms. Lee asked if the board was going to develop a mission statement. Ms. Komernicky will add this as one of the goals. Ms. Lee read the Chicago Library mission statement to the group. Ms. Komernicky said that the Detroit Public Library created core values. She has looked into this for the Glendale Library system and currently has staff working on them. Ms. Komemicky will also look at incorporating ideas from the Chicago Library's mission statement. LIBRARY DIRECTOR UPDATE Ms. Komernicky provided updates on the following: The Glendale Library employee of the month is Michelle Schrade. Ms. Komernicky read the nomination letter to the group. The City was awarded an economic stimulus grant which includes lighting conditions at Main Library. The light bulbs for the existing lighting will not be available after 2010. A consultant is working with the City on this project. The "Favorite Book" displays for each of our councilmembers are available for viewing at each of the Glendale libraries. The youth departments have seen a flurry of activity, including visits by Howler of the Phoenix Coyotes and Star Wars characters from Jobing.com Arena. Ms. Bickerstaff asked if there was a different dog at each library. Ms. Komemicky said yes. The September 29, 2009 MAG meeting included discussion with district members on the reciprocal borrowing program. Although Glendale does not participate in reciprocal borrowing, Ms. Komemicky would like Glendale included in some way, perhaps services such as electronic resources, etc. The October 14, 2009 meeting was cancelled. Mr. Wixon asked if the decisions were made by the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Komernicky said that recommendations will come from the County Library and approved by the Board of Supervisors. The Middle School Homework Club had a great response, with all available seats being filled. Students from Saguaro and Ironwood school were the majority in attendance. The Teen Money Management Class went well with all seats filled. Ms. Lee asked who teaches the Teen Money Management Class. Ms. Komemicky said an outside instructor was utilized as part of the grant. The library is gearing up for the 2010 Census by distributing flyers and placing reminder messages on library receipts such as "Everyone Counts." Reporting accurate statistics determines the amount of money received by the municipalities. This money is used for things such as police, fire, libraries, parks & recreation and more. Ms. Bun asked if the board could help pass out information. Ms. Komernicky stated that the City is looking for volunteers for census participation. LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Mr. Wixon visited the Prescott library and discussed a program presented in their youth department by the Park Rangers. Mr. Wixon gave the information to Ms. Komernicky. Mr. Wixon asked if the library continued to do presentations on the Grand Canyon. Ms. Komernicky stated that the library does presentations on this subject at Foothills Branch Library and will check on the dates. Ms. Donley asked if there was a good turn out at the Prescott library for the presentation. Mr. Wixon said yes, there were no vacant seats. Ms. Donley inquired as to the precautions being taken at the library with regard to the flu outbreak. Ms. Komemicky stated that she is providing flu updates on the intranet for staff and the library is purchasing sanitizers as well as alcohol wipes to be used on hands and equipment. Ms. Barr stated she is also concerned about this issue. Ms. Donley asked if library staff is excusing visibly ill patrons from the library. Ms. Komernicky said not at this time, but staff is being cautious. Ms. Bickerstaff inquired about the library's role in asking visibly ill patrons to vacate the library. Ms. Bickerstaff also asked if materials are being cleaned upon return. Ms. Komernicky said it is difficult for libraries because we are not medical professionals and really cannot ask individuals to leave. Ms Komernicky also stated that materials are not being cleaned upon return. Ms. Donley spoke of sanitizing of library equipment every 1/2 hour in hopes of keeping the flu virus from affecting the hours of operation of the library. Ms. Burr mentioned the idea of condensing and using large wipes for disinfecting equipment. Ms. Komernicky said that the library is looking into alcohol wipes and that we had a suggestion of using disinfectant spray for the computer keyboards, but she would need to check with our IT staff on spray. Ms. Sharpe pointed out that moisture is not good for electronic equipment. Ms. Komemicky stated that steps are being taken within the limitations of available staff. Ms. Lee asked about having staff work additional hours if there were vacancies related to illness that need to be filled. Ms Komernicky said a plan for the library has been submitted to Human Resources Department and that internally we are working on the details Ms. Donley asked about the status of the library book sale at the Foothills branch. Ms. Komernicky said the book sale is November 7th and staff is gearing up for the event. Ms. Burr expressed her concem on the dimming of the lights at closing time, and the possibility of injury with items such as stools in the aisle and urgency in vacating the library. Ms. Komernicky stated that the dimming of the lights has been addressed with staff. There is an announcement that the library is closing and the lights are `flickered', but not turned off Ms. Burr also stated that a friend of hers who frequents the Glendale library has complained that noise levels seem to be elevated in the adult reference area. Ms. Bickerstaff discussed concern over unsupervised school-aged children socializing at the Velma Teague Library. Ms. Komernicky explained that we do have security guards that work 19 hours per week, typically work during busy hours, and that they and staff should be alerted in the event of unsupervised children. Ms. Komernicky will also talk with the branch manager at Velma Teague. Ms. Sharpe suggested using some of the unsupervised children as volunteers at the library. Ms. Burr inquired about having a campaign on how to keep from damaging library materials. This comes from finding several library books "dog-eared." Additionally, Ms. Bun talked about finding writing in books. Ms. Komernicky stated that staff checks for damage on the return of items. Donated books are also inspected, but a few may get into circulation. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Sharp moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion, seconded by Ms. Bickerstaff, passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned by Ms. Lee at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, k, / ' / ; ; / ' /4" ( ,,,,/ _ ,„,, ,y. ,,,, d .ar,,,_ >7- Cynthia Burmeister